Snow-melting machine.



No. 818,072. PATENTED APR.17, 1906. J. P. BLAKE. SNOW MELTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.20, 1903.

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WITNESSES:

- ATTORNEY No. 818,072. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

J. F. BLAKE.

SNOW MELTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.20, 1903.

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A TTOR/VEV UNITE STATES PATENT orrion.

JOHN FEGGETTER BLAKE, OF PORT MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-TENTH TO HERMAN M. SCHAAP, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SNOW-MELTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 1 7, 1 906.

Application filed October 20,1903. Serial No. 177,795.

To (0Z5 whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN FEGGETTER BLAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Port Monmouth, in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snow-Melting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improved means for getting rid of snow in city streets where traffic is great and the snow is a serious obstacle.

My novel apparatus in its preferred form comprises a wagon body upon which is mounted the snow-melter proper, the Whole machine being therefore portable and adapt ed to be stationed close to a sewer-opening, so as to discharge directly into the sewer the water produced by melting the snow.

I have discovered that by simply breaking, cutting, or abrading a snow-crystal it instantly turns to water; and my invention consists, mainly, in the provision of suitable means for s0 treating the snow-crystals in mass.

In carrying out my inventionin the present instance I provide one or more grindstones, preferably mounted upon a common axis, and I also provide means for feeding the snow to the stones and for turning the latter, and by the action of the stones upon the snow it is instantly turned to water, which is then discharged by suitable means.

In the accompanyin drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central sectlon of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan of a series of grindstones. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the motive power of the machine.

In the several views like signs identify like parts.

The wagon-body is designated as 1 and the wheels as 2. Upon the wagon is mounted any suitable motor 2 as, for instance, a gasolene-engine of any suitable type whose main shaft is designated as 3. This shaft extends through a casing, box, or hopper 4, into the top of which the snow to be melted is deposited in any way. The shaft, which may work in bearings 5, is provided within the casing with a series of grindstones 6, clamped together by means of nuts 7, threaded upon the ends of a boss 8, provided upon the shaft, said nuts being provided with washers 9.

The operation of the device is very simple, it being only necessary to deposit the snow in the hopper and to start the engine to cause the grindstones to turn, whereupon the snow will be rapidly abraded, and consequently melted, by the action of the stones thereon. Opening 10 is made in the bottom of the casing to discharge the water, which is led by an inclined trough away from the wagon and may obviously be discharged directly into a sewer-opening to avoid liability of freezing. 6 5

As stones and other obstructions may be mixed with the snow, provision is made for getting rid of them, consisting in a series of trap-doors 11, hanging side by side and hinged at their upper ends at 12 to the front wall of the casing, these doors together forming a part of the casing. They hang opposite to the grindstones and close thereto, and as the latter turn in the direction indicated by the arrow at Fig. 1 the stones are carried against the trap-doors which yield outwardly, permitting the stones to escape. The doors are closed and kept shut by means of weights 13, attached to their outer sides. An apron 14 extends along the grindstones at their lower portions and just within the trapdoors to prevent pebbles and the like from working beneath the grindstones, but instead to guide them out of the casing.

Any other suitable structure or substance maybe used in place of the grindstones. The motor or engine may be either gas, gasolene, steam, electric, or other type. The hopper may be of any suitable design and may, if desired, be made somewhat smaller at the top than at the bottom, with sloping sides, so as to avoid liability of the snow sticking in its descent.

It will be seen that the principal novel feature of my invention consists in grinding snow into water, thereby saving the cost and delay of carting the snow to dumps, as is usual at the present time. Any number of stones or other grinders or abraders or the like may be put onto the shaft, and any amount of snow can be turned into water up to the power of the motor.

It will also be understood that the hopper may be steam-jacketed or otherwise kept said stones and adapted to be opened by means of pebbles or obstructions passing over the grindstones, Weights tending normally to close said doors, anapron or deflector at the lower portion of said grindstones for positively discharging pebbles or obstructions, and a trough for conveying away the 20 Water.

JOHN FEGGETTER BLAKE.

i/Vitnesses:

WILLIAM GOURDIER, EDWARD A. MoCUE. 

